While the movie may be something to look at, that really doesn't hold true for this transfer. Presented in its proper 2.35:1 widescreen ratio, Disney has done the right thing and only made the film available in that format. It's a rare choice for a company that seems vehemently opposed to doing this.
Anyway, it's not that the transfer is awful. A few years ago, it would have really stood out as something special. Now it just seems a little above average. There are serious aliasing issues and unnecessary edge enhancement seems to be constant. Darker scenes show trouble in the backgrounds and you can occasionally spot some problems during the daylight sequences as well. The overall transfer is sharp which retains detail on the actor's faces when up close. Color is slightly faded for that aged look and the disc preserves it like it should. It's hit or miss all the way through. (***)
Before popping this disc in, be sure there are no loose items hanging from your walls. DVD audio rarely gets better than this. DTS 5.1 and standard 5.1 lead the way. From the cannons to the splashing water, absolutely everything about this audio presentation rocks. Separation is nothing short of incredible. Dialogue is well mixed during the explosive action scenes, really important since some of the characters go through some development during a few of these. Oh, and it has cannons. You don't need to know much more than that. (*****)
Since the movie made enough to finance 300,000 small independent films, it's not surprising that this 2-disc set is packed. In a miracle of compression, there are three commentaries on disc one to start things off. Director Gore Verbinski and Depp reminisce about the shoot on the first one and the screenwriters square off in another about the challenges of actually bringing their ideas to the screen. The final one is interesting as it is scene specific and it could be Jerry Bruckheimer going solo or Keira Knightley and Jack Davenport together.
Disc 2 is where everything else is packed. "Epic at Sea" is the obligatory making-of feature, split into nine sections. You can watch them all or view each section individually. It covers pretty much everything, some topics more in-depth than others. There are three production diaries, the best one being the diary of a pirate. It shows the make-up process and a typical day on the set.
Article comments
1 - Karl Eklund. Ph.D.
Letter to the Editor
The Vincentian
Vinpub@vincy.com
KentonChase@hotmail.com
It is generally known that Disney is set to start shooting Parts 2 & 3 of "Pirates of the Caribbean" in Domenica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines this spring. Unfortunately, unlike the first part, this time Disney intends to work in the native peoples of these islands, the Caribs and "Black Caribs" or Garifuna.
According to Paul Lewis of the SVG Archaeological and Historical Society Disney executives insist that Caribs in Dominica be portrayed as cannibals. Adrian Fraser in his column in the Searchlight (quoting Carib Chief Charles Williams of Dominica) says that the scene will show Caribs roasting another Carib in the style of a barbecue. Evidently the Disney executives said the script cannot be changed.
That, of course, is nonsense. Scripts have been changed even with films in the can, if the change is necessary to market the film. And the easiest time to change a script is while it is just words on paper. What Disney doesn't understand is that a community that survived the attempted genocide by the British Empire is not likely to be fazed by a corporation that is dependent on popular approval.
Whether or not the Caribs roasted people, or even ate bits of them for ritual reasons, is, on the one hand, something for academics to argue about. On the other hand displaying it in a movie that is likely to be popular based on its predecessor is unnecessary promulgation of a racist myth for political purposes. Disney's researchers probably don't know that there is a distinction between "Caribs" and "Garifuna" or what that distinction signifies.
A minor change in the script in which the europeans BELIEVE the Caribs are cannibals and in which the roastee is a european colonist, while the central characters discover, at the climax, that the Yellow and Black Caribs are fierce freedom fighters defending their homes and independence, would not only be much more acceptable to Caribbean academics, but would be considerably more acceptable to audiences in the Caribbean diaspora and the non-melanin-deficient international market. And it would be a lot cheaper to change the script now, before any shooting, than to change the final cut after a lot of demonstrations.
There are lots of interesting questions about the Caribs that I will be discussing in future essays at [http://blogger.karleklund.net] and on the website at [http://svg.karleklund.net]. The Garifuna who survived attempted genocide by the British Empire are an inspiration to us all.
But it would be a useful thing if a lot of people showed that they care how the Garifuna and other aboriginal peoples are portrayed in big production movies. It is too late in the twentyfirst century to slander an ethnic group simply out of ignorance and greed.
Karl Eklund, Ph.D.
Villa, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
2 - Eric Olsen
Karl, In the words of Captain Jack, "interesting."
Matt, what a great job. I don't say it often enough but I really enjoy the attitude and thoroughness of your reviews, and you shame me with your coverage and knowledge of the special features, which I never seem to get around to discussing. Thanks!
3 - Matt Paprocki
Karl, that's interesting. What's even more surprsing is the change Disney has went through. This was the first movie to carry both the Disney label and a PG-13 rating. It seems like the next one could be pretty graphic if they do end up going the cannibal route.
Eric: Thanks as always.
4 - Anthony g
i thought that pirates of the caribbean was brilliant, johnny depp is ace i especially like the part where the 2 guards say "this dock is stictly of limits to civilians" 'n' johnny sez "ok sure, if i see a civilian i will inform you"
5 - Anthony g rocks
pirates of the caribbean is ace .... i can't wait till the second 1 comes out. . .
Johnny also rocks...p.s i'm gettin fed up of people sayin how fit johnny n orlando is.... when we all know that kiara is the fittest..
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